Obama, Romney launch dueling smartphone apps
Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee for the presidential election, arrives at 10 Downing Street to meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron on July 26, 2012 in London, England. Mitt Romney is meeting various leaders, past and present, on his visit to the UK including Tony Blair, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg.
Republican or Democrat, red or blue, Mitt’s VP or Obama for America?
Now your choice of smartphone app can also reveal your political stripes, with dueling offers released today by President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Romney is using social media to give supporters the inside scoop on his selection for running mate with the “Mitt’s VP.”
The presumptive Republican party nominee launched the free app today for iPhone and Android.
“It’s a question everyone’s asking: who will be Mitt Romney’s VP? There’s no telling when that answer might come,” the description reads. “But when it does, be the first to find out and access exclusive content with the Mitt’s VP app.”
A decision is widely expected in the coming days, although no official plans have been announced.
Romney is returning from a week overseas, having toured England, Israel and Poland.
Those who download Mitt’s VP must enter their contact information – including names, email addresses and phone numbers.
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Location tagging is also included, giving campaign organizers another weapon in the voter registration arsenal, especially in key battlegrounds.
“Just download the app and when Mitt decides on his running mate, you’ll get an exclusive notification from the campaign letting you in on the exciting news before the press and just about everyone else (except maybe Ann),” it says on the app.
The Republican National Convention starts Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla.
Romney is expected in Colorado on Thursday and Nevada, Friday, according to The Associated Press.
Obama tried a similar stunt in 2008 around his selection of a running mate, telling supporters he would text them the info, the AP reported.
However, the information was leaked before his campaign could announce Joe Biden.
Now, he’s trying again.
Obama for America combines organization tools for volunteers with campaign and election news. It’s also free, but is only available on iTunes.
An Android version is expected soon.
“As we push through the last 100 days of this election, our focus remains on helping make grassroots organizing as easy and accessible as possible for the volunteers and supporters that are the heart and soul of this campaign,” Stephanie Cutter, Obama’s deputy campaign manager, told Wired.
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